Guide to the Universal Orlando Hogwarts Express

Guide to the Universal Orlando Hogwarts Express

Guide to the Universal Orlando Hogwarts Express

This article is going to be the ultimate guide for the Hogwarts Express at Universal Orlando! Are you planning your next Universal Orlando Resort vacation and wondering how to use the Universal Studios Hogwarts Express? Many guests looking to spend some time in either the Wizarding World or Harry Potter sections of the theme parks must have this iconic ride on their list! Whether you’re a diehard Harry Potter fan or just looking to travel park-to-park with the Hogwarts Express at Universal, this guide will be helpful to you.

We hope you find this post helpful! Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation!  If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out the latest deals on Universal Orlando vacation packages and our discounted Universal Orlando tickets which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Universal Orlando check out our Universal Crowd calendar! 

Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

What is Hogwarts Express at Universal Orlando Like?

The Universal Hogwarts Express ride is a kid-friendly Harry Potter ride, that is half a motion simulator ride. Guests can enjoy this ride not only as a replica of the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter franchise but also as a transportation option between parks. The Universal Hogwarts Express transports guests with park-to-park tickets between Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida.

Guests riding the Hogwarts Express at Universal are given their train car with interactive video screens on the window outside and your train car doors. Throughout your journey, you will catch the sights and sounds of familiar faces of friends like Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but you also might have a run-in with a Dementor. Depending on what side you start on, your journey on the Hogwarts Express might look a little different, but we will get into that later.

Where is the Hogwarts Express at Universal Orlando?

On Platform 9 3/4, of course! If you’re looking to ride the Universal Orlando Hogwarts Express, you can start in either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure Park. Both Universal theme parks have a “train station” where guests can enter a queue and catch a ride on the bright ride steam engine. You can find the attraction entrances in the following places:

• The entrance of Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure Park
• King’s Cross Station, which is right outside of Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida

Related post: Ranking the Best Harry Potter Orlando Rides 

Is the Hogwarts Express Worth it?

One of the most popular questions families ask is if the Hogwarts Express is worth it or not? As discussed above, the main reason why this is such an important topic is that guests need to have a park-to-park ticket in order to ride the Hogwarts Express. On average, we find this ticket to be around $65 more than the Universal Orlando base ticket. However, even with the additional cost, we would say that it is absolutely worth it for any die-hard Harry Potter fan, as Universal really did such a great job bringing this iconic ride to life. On the flip side, we still believe it to be worth it for the casual fan as you still have the option to visit multiple parks within the day by upgrading to the park-to-park ticket.

How much does it cost to ride the Hogwarts Express?

As a general rule of thumb, guests simply need to make sure to have thepark-to-park option, which is a one-time fee of around $65.00. However this would also give you the ability to visit more than one theme park per day.

Related Page: Is the Harry Potter Vacation Package Worth it? 

Hogwarts Express Popular Questions

What are the height requirements for the Universal Hogwarts Express?

• There is no height requirement, but all riders under 48″ much have a supervising companion

How long is the Hogwarts Express ride in 2024?

• The Hogwarts Express ride is 4 minutes long

When does the Hogwarts Express leave?

So, how often does the Hogwarts Express run? That mostly depends on how long they wait for the attraction. The Hogwarts Express at Universal Orlando continuously loads like any other normal attraction, and guests have to wait depending on the posted wait time.

Can you ride the Hogwarts Express multiple times?

Yes! As long as you carry a park-to-park ticket, you can go back and forth as many times as you wish between the parks. Just note, without Express Pass, you will have to wait the posted time for the Hogwarts Express, therefore if the wait is long, you might only get to ride it a couple of times during the day.

Can you ride the Hogwarts Express without park-to-park tickets?

No, you cannot ride the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express without a park-to-park or Annual Pass. One of the biggest downfalls of the Universal Hogwarts Express is that you have to have a park-to-park ticket to ride it. That means, if you’ve only purchased a one-day, one-park ticket, you cannot ride this attraction. You also have access to the Hogwarts Express at Universal if you are an Annual Passholder since you have entry to both theme parks.

Can you take a stroller on the Hogwarts Express?

Since the Hogwarts Express is kid-friendly, you’re probably wondering if you’re allowed to bring a stroller with you on your journey. The answer is, yes! You can bring your stroller with you on the Universal Hogwarts Express, or if you’re renting one, it’ll be left in one park, and you’ll be given a new one at the station in your destination park. Any Team Member at the Hogwarts Express attraction at Universal will be able to assist you with any stroller or accessibility needs.

It is important to note that team members will refer to your stroller as a “pram” to give you an authentic King’s Cross experience.

Is the Universal Hogwarts Express wheelchair/ECV accessible?

Yes! The Hogwarts Express in Universal is accessible for all mobility devices, whether it be a wheelchair, EVC, or another device. Both queues are also wheelchair accessible with either ramps or elevators to reach the top-loading platforms of the Hogwarts Express.

Does the Hogwarts Express have Express Passes?

Yes, the Hogwarts Express is one of the attractions at Universal Orlando, where you can use the Express Pass. The Universal Express Pass and the Express Pass Unlimited allow guests to use the separate entrance from standby to cut wait times down significantly.

Is There a Hogwarts Express in Hollywood?

At Universal Studios Hollywood, there is no Hogwarts Express attraction that you can ride. Instead, there is a prop train, which can also be seen in Orlando, where guests can pose for photos and meet the train conductor of the Hogwarts Express. There is only one park in Universal Studios Hollywood, so there is no need for a train back and forth between the parks!

Related post: The Complete Guide to Harry Potter World: Universal California vs Florida

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you’re ready to plan your trip to Universal Studios, be sure to check out our Universal Orlando Tickets! All Park Prodigy Universal Orlando tickets will get you into the park one hour before regular park guests with Universal Early Park Admission! And to stay up to date on everything going on inside the theme parks be sure to check out our partners at Themeparktoday.com!